Negro of Banyoles

The "negro of Banyoles" (Catalan: negre de Banyoles) was a controversial piece of taxidermy of a member of the San, which used to be a major attraction in the Darder Museum of Banyoles (Catalonia, Spain). In 2000, the remains of the man were sent to Botswana for burial.

In the early 1830s, the Verreaux brothers stuffed the corpse of a young man, approximately 27 years old, belonging to the negroid race with features typical of the African bushman. In 1916, it was acquired by the Darder Museum of Banyoles. The body remained in the museum without controversy until 29 October 1991. At this date Alphonse Arcelin, a doctor of Haitian origin who lived in Cambrils where he was a PSC councillor, wrote a letter to the mayor of Banyoles, asking him to stop displaying the San's remains. This request attracted the attention of the press, which widely published the story.

The first step towards the return of the "negre" to Botswana was made in 1991, when the then-secretary of UNESCO, Federico Mayor Zaragoza, held the meeting with the mayor of Banyoles. Later, when Kofi Annan became Secretary-General of the United Nations, he expressed interest in the issue and spoke with the mayor of Banyoles.

By that time, the "negre" had become so notorious that it was quite usual to hear references made to the displayed San in diplomatic communications. Some African governments showed their support for Arcelín, who had sent several letters to the press and various heads of government. The issue worried many international museum associations because it made them fear that human remains kept in museums might have to be returned to their place of origin.

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